President Trump on March 27 signed the $2 trillion bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act ( P.L. 116-136). The House approved the historically large emergency relief measure by voice vote just hours before Trump’s signature. The CARES Act cleared the Senate unanimously on March 25, by a 96-to-0 vote.

President Trump on March 27 signed the $2 trillion bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act ( P.L. 116-136). The House approved the historically large emergency relief measure by voice vote just hours before Trump’s signature. The CARES Act cleared the Senate unanimously on March 25, by a 96-to-0 vote.

Generally, the following individual and business tax-related provisions are included in what lawmakers have dubbed the "phase three" COVID-19 emergency relief package:

• Direct cash payments of up to $1,200 for certain individual taxpayers and $2,400 for certain married couples filing jointly; those amounts would increase by $500 for every eligible child;
• The 10-percent early withdrawal penalty is waived for distributions up to $100,000 from qualified retirement accounts for coronavirus-related purposes;
• Payments delayed for employer-side payroll taxes;
• The taxable income limit is eliminated for certain net operating losses (NOL) and businesses and individuals can carry back NOLs arising in 2018, 2019, and 2020 to the last five tax years;
• Excess business loss rules suspended under section 461(l);
• Refunds accelerated of previously generated corporate AMT credits;
• Forgivable loans to small businesses that retain their employees throughout this crisis;
• Temporarily enact provisions of the bipartisan Employer Participation in Repayment Act, which would allow employers to contribute up to $5,250 tax-free to help pay down their employees’ student loans; and
• Various technical corrections to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) ( P.L. 115-97), including the so-called retail glitch.

Wolters Kluwer Special Report CARES Act Tax Briefing
Wolters Kluwer provides a detailed discussion of the tax-related provisions under the CARES Act in the "Special Report CARES Act (COVID-19 Economic Stimulus) Tax Briefing" (at https://engagetax.wolterskluwer.com/Cares-Act.pdf).

Let’s Work Together
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who spent many late nights in the U.S. Capitol recently participating in bipartisan negotiations on the Senate’s CARES Act, thanked Republican and Democratic leadership in both the Senate and the House for their bipartisanship. "I am pleased that Congress has passed the CARES Act, the largest economic relief package in history for hardworking Americans and businesses that, through no fault of their own, have been adversely impacted by the coronavirus outbreak," Mnuchin said in a March 27 press release. "President Trump is fully committed to ensuring that American workers and businesses have the resources they need. This legislation provides much-needed relief to help our fellow Americans overcome this difficult but temporary challenge."

Phase Four Economic Relief Package
The CARES Act is considered "phase three" of lawmakers’ and the Trump administration’s collaborative response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, including House Ways and Means Committee Chair Richard Neal, D-Mass., have said they want to see a fourth economic relief measure.

"Our work to help Americans during this emergency won’t stop here. Congress must do more to address the significant public health and economic consequences of the coronavirus," Neal said in a March 27 statement. "In a fourth response package, I want to provide any needed additional support to people who have lost their incomes and to affected patients and health care providers. We should take bold action to improve our country’s economic health too," he added. Additionally, Neal said that he would like to see the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit expanded, as well as infrastructure investments to put people back to work and reinvigorate the economy.

Legislative View – Looking Back and Ahead
"From a legislative view, the CARES Act shares the key characteristics that we’ve seen with other emergency legislation, namely bipartisan willingness to forego typical concerns over cost and take action at unusual speed," John Gimigliano, principal-in-charge of federal legislative and regulatory services in the Washington National Tax practice of KPMG LLP, told Wolters Kluwer in a March 27 emailed statement. "Similar dynamics were apparent in other emergency legislation including bills enacted after the attacks of September 11, Hurricane Katrina, and during the financial crisis," Gimigliano added. "But those precedents also show that each of those three characteristics begins to break down with successive legislative attempts. That made quick passage of the CARES Act key and the development of a ‘coronavirus 4’ package something to watch closely."

Lawmakers are continuing talks on a "phase four" economic relief package in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. To that end, the House’s "CARES 2" package is currently in the works and could see a floor vote as early as this month.

Lawmakers are continuing talks on a "phase four" economic relief package in response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. To that end, the House’s "CARES 2" package is currently in the works and could see a floor vote as early as this month.

"CARES 2"
President Trump signed into law the $2 trillion bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act ( P.L. 116-127) on March 27. The CARES Act is known on Capitol Hill as the third phase of legislation aimed to address the national emergency. However, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has said that a House floor vote on a "CARES 2" package could happen later in April.

"The acceleration of the coronavirus crisis demands that we continue to legislate," Pelosi said in a "Dear Colleagues" letter sent out to members during the week of April 6. "We must double down on the down-payment we made in the CARES Act by passing a CARES 2 package, which will extend and expand this bipartisan legislation to meet the needs of the American people," she added. According to Pelosi, the CARES 2 package would (1) go further in assisting small businesses (including farmers), (2) extend and strengthen unemployment benefits, and (3) distribute additional direct payments.

"Our communities cannot afford to wait, and we must move quickly," Pelosi wrote. "It is my hope that we will craft this legislation and bring it to the Floor later this month."

Paycheck Protection Program
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is seeking an increase in funding for the CARES Act’s Paycheck Protection Program. Accordingly, several bipartisan lawmakers have called for congressional action to provide the necessary funding needed for small businesses. The administration is reportedly asking for an additional $250 billion for the largely overrun loan program.

"Through this tax break, workers can get back on payrolls and stay there. By working with their bank, small businesses can get eight weeks of cash-flow assistance through 100 percent federally guaranteed loans," House Ways and Means ranking member Kevin Brady, R-Tex., said on April 7. "If the business [including churches] uses the money to maintain payroll, the portion of the loans used for covered payroll costs, interest on mortgage obligations, rent, and utilities would be forgiven."

Likewise, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., called for swift action on the matter. "Congress needs to act with speed and total focus to provide more money for this uncontroversial bipartisan program," McConnell said on April 7. "I will work with [Treasury] Secretary Steven Mnuchin and [Senate Minority Leader Chuck] Schumer and hope to approve further funding for the Paycheck Protection Program by unanimous consent or voice vote during the next scheduled Senate session on Thursday."

The IRS announced on March 30 that distribution of economic impact payments in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic would begin in the next three weeks. On April 1, the Treasury Department clarified that Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefit recipients who are not required to file a federal tax return will not have to file a return in order to receive their economic impact payment.

The IRS announced on March 30 that distribution of economic impact payments in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic would begin in the next three weeks. On April 1, the Treasury Department clarified that Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefit recipients who are not required to file a federal tax return will not have to file a return in order to receive their economic impact payment.

Eligibility Based on Returns, Generally
Eligible taxpayers who filed tax returns for either 2019 or 2018 will automatically receive an economic impact payment of up to $1,200 for individuals, $2,400 for married couples, and up to $500 for each qualifying child. The payment amount will be reduced based on adjusted gross income (AGI). The phase-out begins at AGI above $75,000 for single individuals, $150,000 for joint filers, with the payment amount reduced by $5 for each $100 above the thresholds. Single filers with income exceeding $99,000 and $198,000 for joint filers with no children are not eligible.

The IRS will generally base the payment amount on information from:

• the 2019 tax return for taxpayers who have filed their 2019 return; or
• the 2018 tax return for taxpayers who have not yet filed the their 2019 return.

1099s Used for Certain Recipients
The IRS will use the information on the Form SSA-1099 or Form RRB-1099 to generate economic impact payments to recipients of benefits reflected in the Form SSA-1099 or Form RRB-1099 who are not required to file a tax return and did not file a return for 2018 or 2019. This includes senior citizens, Social Security recipients and railroad retirees who are not otherwise required to file a tax return.

These recipients will receive these payments as a direct deposit or by paper check, just as they would normally receive their benefits.

No payments for dependents, currently. Since the IRS would not have information regarding any dependents for these recipients, each person would receive $1,200 per person, without the additional amount for any dependents at this time.

Other Details
The IRS has addressed other common queries related to economic impact payments:

• Calculating and depositing the payment: The IRS will calculate and automatically send the economic impact payment to those eligible. The economic impact payment will be deposited directly into the same banking account reflected on the 2019 tax returns filed by taxpayers.
• Direct deposit information: A web-based portal for individuals is being developed to provide the taxpayers’ banking information to the IRS online, so that they can receive payments immediately as opposed to checks in the mail.
• Taxpayers who have not filed their tax return for 2018 or 2019: The IRS urges taxpayers with an outstanding tax filing obligation for 2018 or 2019 to file sooner to receive an economic impact payment. Taxpayers should include direct deposit banking information on their tax returns.
• Availability of economic impact payments: The IRS states that for those concerned about visiting a tax professional or local community organization in person to get help with a tax return, the economic impact payments will be available throughout the rest of 2020.

More Information
Even though it currently has a reduced staff in many of its offices, the IRS assures taxpayers that it remains committed to helping eligible individuals receive their payments expeditiously. The IRS urges taxpayers to visit its Coronavirus Tax Relief webpage ( https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus for updated information related to economic impact payments, rather than calling IRS assistors who are helping process 2019 returns.

For the latest information on the economic impact payments, see the IRS’s "Economic impact payments: What you need to know" webpage ( https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/economic-impact-payments-what-you-need-to-know).

The Treasury Department and IRS have provided a notice with additional relief for taxpayers, postponing until July 15, 2020, a variety of tax form filings and payment obligations that are due between April 1, 2020 and July 15, 2020. Associated interest, additions to tax, and penalties for late filing or late payment will be suspended until July 15, 2020. Additional time to perform certain time-sensitive actions during this period is also provided. The notice also postpones due dates with respect to certain government acts and postpones the application date to participate in the Annual Filing Season Program. This notice expands upon the relief provided in Notice 2020-18, I.R.B. 2020-15, 590, and Notice 2020-20, I.R.B. 2020-16, 660.

The Treasury Department and IRS have provided a notice with additional relief for taxpayers, postponing until July 15, 2020, a variety of tax form filings and payment obligations that are due between April 1, 2020 and July 15, 2020. Associated interest, additions to tax, and penalties for late filing or late payment will be suspended until July 15, 2020. Additional time to perform certain time-sensitive actions during this period is also provided. The notice also postpones due dates with respect to certain government acts and postpones the application date to participate in the Annual Filing Season Program. This notice expands upon the relief provided in Notice 2020-18, I.R.B. 2020-15, 590, and Notice 2020-20, I.R.B. 2020-16, 660.

NOTE: The relief is limited to the relief explicitly provided in Notice 2020-18, Notice 2020-20, and Notice 2020-23, and does not apply for any other type of federal tax, any other type of federal tax return, or any other time-sensitive act.

Relief Measures

• Taxpayers Affected by COVID-19 Emergency. Any person (as defined in Code Sec. 7701(a)(1)) with a federal tax payment obligation specified in the notice, or a federal tax return or other form filing obligation specified in the notice, which is due to be performed (originally or pursuant to a valid extension) on or after April 1, 2020, and before July 15, 2020, is affected by the COVID-19 emergency for purposes of the relief.
• Postponement of Due Dates. For an affected taxpayer, the due date for filing specified forms and making specified payments is automatically postponed to July 15, 2020. This relief is automatic: affected taxpayers do not have to call the IRS or file any extension forms, or send letters or other documents to receive this relief. However, affected taxpayers who need additional time to file may choose to file the appropriate extension form by July 15, 2020, to obtain an extension to file their return, but the extension date may not go beyond the original statutory or regulatory extension date.
• Specified Time-Sensitive Actions. Affected taxpayers also have until July 15, 2020, to perform all specified time-sensitive actions listed in either Reg. §301.7508A-1(c)(1)(iv) - (vi) or Rev. Proc. 2018-58, I.R.B. 2018-50, 990, that are due to be performed on or after April 1, 2020, and before July 15, 2020. This includes the time for filing all petitions with the Tax Court, or for review of a decision rendered by the Tax Court, filing a claim for credit or refund of any tax, and bringing suit upon a claim for credit or refund of any tax.
• Certain Government Acts. The notice also provides the IRS with additional time to perform the time-sensitive actions described in Reg. §301.7508A-1(c)(2). Due to the COVID-19 emergency, IRS employees, taxpayers, and other persons may be unable to access documents, systems, or other resources necessary to perform certain time-sensitive actions due to office closures or state and local government executive orders restricting activities.
• Annual Filing Season Program. Under Rev. Proc. 2014-42, I.R.B. 2014-29, 192, applications to participate in the Annual Filing Season Program for the 2020 calendar year must be received by April 15, 2020. The relief postpones the 2020 calendar year application deadline to July 15, 2020.

Specified Forms and Payments
The filing and payment obligations covered by the relief are the following:

• Individual income tax payments and return filings on Form 1040, Form 1040-SR, Form 1040-NR, Form 1040-NR-EZ, Form 1040-PR, and Form 1040-SS.
• Calendar year or fiscal year corporate income tax payments and return filings on Form 1120, Form 1120-C, Form 1120-F, Form 1120-FSC, Form 1120-H, Form 1120-L, Form 1120-ND, Form 1120-PC, Form 1120-POL, Form 1120-REIT, Form 1120-RIC, Form 1120-S, and Form 1120-SF.
• Calendar year or fiscal year partnership return filings on Form 1065 and Form 1066.
• Estate and trust income tax payments and return filings on Form 1041, Form 1041-N, and Form 1041-QFT.
• Estate and generation-skipping transfer tax payments and return filings on Form 706, Form 706-NA, Form 706-A, Form 706-QDT, Form 706-GS(T), Form 706-GS(D), Form 706-GS(D-1), and Form 8971.
• Gift and generation-skipping transfer tax payments and return filings on Form 709 that are due on the date an estate is required to file Form 706 or Form 706-NA.
• Estate tax payments of principal or interest due as a result of an election made under Code Secs. 6166, 6161, or 6163 and annual recertification requirements under Code Sec. 6166.
• Exempt organization business income tax and other payments and return filings on Form 990-T.
• Excise tax payments on investment income and return filings on Form 990-PF and return filings on Form 4720.
• Quarterly estimated income tax payments calculated on or submitted with Form 990-W, Form 1040-ES, Form 1040-ES (NR), Form 1040-ES (PR), Form 1041-ES, and Form 1120-W.
  Notice 2020-18, I.R.B. 2020-15, 590, and Notice 2020-20, I.R.B. 2020-16 are amplified. Rev. Proc. 2014-42, I.R.B. 2014-29, 192, is modified, applicable for calendar year 2020.

synopsisThe Treasury Department and the IRS have released the "Get My Payment" tool to assist Americans in receiving their “economic impact payments” issued under the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act ( P.L. 116-136). The free tool went live on April 15, and is located at https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment.

The Treasury Department and the IRS have released the "Get My Payment" tool to assist Americans in receiving their “economic impact payments” issued under the bipartisan Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act ( P.L. 116-136). The free tool went live on April 15, and is located at https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/get-my-payment.

Get My Payment
The "Get My Payment" tool generally allows consumers to check the status of their payments, and to enter their direct deposit information if the IRS does not already have it.

"Thanks to hard work and long hours by dedicated IRS employees, these payments are going out on schedule, as planned, without delay, to the nation," the IRS said in an April 15 statement emailed to Wolters Kluwer. "The IRS employees are delivering these payments in record time compared to previous stimulus efforts."

Treasury had earlier announced that millions of Americans were already starting to see their economic impact payments. "These payments are being automatically issued to eligible 2019 or 2018 federal tax return filers who received a refund using direct deposit," Treasury said in an April 13 press release.

Non-Filers Option
Americans who did not file a tax return in 2018 or 2019 can use the "Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info Here" option ( https://www.irs.gov/coronavirus/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here) to submit basic personal information to receive their payments.

For those who filed 2018 or 2019 tax returns with direct deposit information or receive Social Security, however, no additional action on their part is needed. These individuals are expected to automatically receive the payment in their bank accounts.

"We are pleased that more than 80 million Americans have already received their Economic Impact Payments by direct deposit in record time," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said in an April 15 press release. "The free ‘Get My Payment App’ will allow Americans who do not have their direct deposit information on file with the IRS to input it, track the status, and get their money fast."

Status Not Available
Many individuals began voicing complaints on April 15 that the Get My Payment tool was not functional. In response, the IRS on the same day stated: "The Get My Payment site is operating smoothly and effectively. As of mid-day today, more than 6.2 million taxpayers have successfully received their payment status and almost 1.1 million taxpayers have successfully provided banking information, ensuring a direct deposit will be quickly sent. IRS is actively monitoring site volume; if site volume gets too high, users are sent to an online ‘waiting room’ for a brief wait until space becomes available, much like private sector online sites. Media reports saying the tool ‘crashed’ are inaccurate."

The IRS also provided consumers with the following information regarding certain situations in which payment status is deemed unavailable. The IRS listed the following reasons why users may receive the "Status Not Available" notice while using the online tool:

• If you are not eligible for a payment (see IRS.gov on who is eligible and who is not eligible).
• If you are required to file a tax return and have not filed in tax year 2018 or 2019. If you recently filed your return or provided information through Non-Filers: Enter Your Payment Info on IRS.gov. Your payment status will be updated when processing is completed.
• If you are a SSA or RRB Form 1099 recipient, SSI or VA benefit recipient– the IRS is working with your agency to issue your payment; your information is not available in this app yet.

"You can check the app again to see whether there has been an update to your information," the IRS said. "The IRS reminds taxpayers that Get My Payment data is updated once per day, so there’s no need to check back more frequently."

As a result of the retroactive assignment of a 15-year recovery period to qualified improvement property (QIP) placed in service after 2017, QIP generally qualifies for bonus depreciation, and typically at a 100 percent rate. IRS guidance requires taxpayers who previously filed two or more returns using what is now an "incorrect" depreciation period (usually 39 years) to file an accounting method change on Form 3115, Application for Change in Accounting Method, to claim bonus depreciation and/or depreciation based on the 15-year recovery period. The automatic consent procedures apply. If only one return has been filed, a taxpayer may either file Form 3115 or an amended return. No alternatives to filing Form 3115 or an amended return are provided.

As a result of the retroactive assignment of a 15-year recovery period to qualified improvement property (QIP) placed in service after 2017, QIP generally qualifies for bonus depreciation, and typically at a 100 percent rate. IRS guidance requires taxpayers who previously filed two or more returns using what is now an "incorrect" depreciation period (usually 39 years) to file an accounting method change on Form 3115, Application for Change in Accounting Method, to claim bonus depreciation and/or depreciation based on the 15-year recovery period. The automatic consent procedures apply. If only one return has been filed, a taxpayer may either file Form 3115 or an amended return. No alternatives to filing Form 3115 or an amended return are provided.

The guidance also allows taxpayers to make or revoke various elections whether or not directly related to QIP, such as the election out of bonus depreciation. These elections and revocations may be made on an amended return or Form 3115.

The guidance applies to a tax year ending in 2018, 2019, or 2020.

Comment: QIP placed in service in 2018 by a 2017/2018 fiscal-year taxpayer is covered by the guidance, since it applies to tax years ending in 2018.

Amended Return Due Date
When an amended return (including an amended Form 1065, U.S. Return of Partnership Income) is filed for the placed-in-service year to correct the QIP depreciation period and/or claim bonus depreciation, the amended return is due on or before October 15, 2021, but not later than the applicable assessment limitations period. Certain partnerships subject to the centralized audit regime may file an administrative adjustment request (AAR) by October 15, 2021.

Late Elections and Revocations
For a limited time, taxpayers may make a late election or revoke a prior election that was made for depreciable property placed in service during a tax year ending in 2018, 2019, or 2020. The return must have been timely filed and filed before April 17, 2020. These elections and revocations are not limited to QIP. The covered elections are:

• election to use the MACRS alternative depreciation system (ADS) ( Code Sec. 168(g)(7));
• election to claim bonus depreciation on specified plants in the year of planting or grafting ( Code Sec. 168(k)(5));
• election out of bonus depreciation for a class of property ( Code Sec. 168(k)(7)); and
• election to claim bonus depreciation at the 50 percent rate in lieu of the 100 percent rate for all bonus depreciation property placed in service in a tax year that includes September 28, 2017 ( Code Sec. 168(k)(10)).

Generally, making or revoking an election is not considered an accounting method change. However, because of the administrative burden of filing amended returns and AARs, the IRS allows taxpayers to treat the making or revoking of these election as a change in method of accounting with a Code Sec. 481(a) adjustment.

Taxpayers may make or revoke these elections by filing an amended return (including any subsequent affected return) or AAR for the placed-in-service year of the property by October 15, 2021. However, if earlier, the amended return must be filed no later than the expiration of the limitations period for the tax year of the amended return.

For taxpayer choosing not to file an amended return, a Form 3115 to make or revoke these elections must be filed with a timely filed original income tax return (or Form 1065) for the first or second tax year after the tax year in which the property was placed in service, or with a timely filed original income return (or Form 1065) filed on or after April 17, 2020, and on or before October 15, 2021.

Excluded Taxpayers
These procedures do not apply to QIP that was expensed under any provision, including Code Sec. 179 as qualified real property. They also do not apply to an electing real property trade or business or electing farming business that made a late election or withdrew an election related to the business interest deduction limitations ( Code Sec. 163(j)) for the tax year in which QIP was placed in service. (Changes to depreciation affected by the late election or withdrawn election were previously addressed in Rev. Proc. 2020-22.)

Accounting Method Change Lists
Rev. Proc. 2019-43, 2019-48 I.R.B. 1107, which contains all automatic consent accounting method changes, is modified to add new section 6.19 to reflect the rules described in this guidance. Section 6.19 provides that certain "eligibility" rules do not apply. Thus, the automatic procedure will apply even if the change is made in the taxpayer’s last tax year of business or the taxpayer made a change for the same item during any of the five tax years ending with the year of change.

Rev. Proc. 2015-56, 2015-49, I.R.B. 827, relating to the remodel-refresh safe harbor, is also modified to require a taxpayer to substantiate the portion of the property that is qualified improvement property.

The IRS has issued guidance providing administrative relief under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act ( P.L. 116-136) for taxpayers with net operating losses (NOLs).

The IRS has issued guidance providing administrative relief under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act ( P.L. 116-136) for taxpayers with net operating losses (NOLs).

The CARES Act provides a five-year carryback for NOLs arising in tax years beginning in 2018, 2019, and 2020. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ( P.L. 115-97) had eliminated carryback periods effective for tax years ending after 2017. Some taxpayers have filed 2018 and 2019 returns without using five-year carryback period.

The relief:

• provides procedures for waiving the carryback period in the case of an NOL arising in a tax year beginning after December 31, 2017, and before January 1, 2020; and
• describes how taxpayers with NOLs arising in tax years 2018, 2019, or 2020 can elect to either waive the carryback period for those losses entirely or to exclude from the carryback period for those losses any years in which the taxpayer has an inclusion in income as a result of the Code Sec. 965(a) transition tax.

Six Month Extension for Filing Refund Claims
Taxpayers are granted an extension of time to file refund applications on Form 1045 (individuals, estates, and trusts) or Form 1139 (corporations) with respect to the carryback of an NOL that arose in any tax year that began during calendar year 2018 and that ended on or before June 30, 2019.

2017/2018 Fiscal-Year Taxpayers
Relief is also provided for 2017/2018 fiscal year taxpayer who failed to claim an NOL carryback due to a drafting error in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that provided the termination of two-year NOL carryback period applied to NOLs arising in tax years ending after 2017. The CARES Act corrects the effective date error by providing that the termination applies to tax years beginning after 2017. This makes these taxpayers eligible to claim an NOL carryback. The CARES Act allows these taxpayer to file a late application for a tentative refund. An application for a tentative refund is considered timely if filed by July 25, 2020.

The guidance also explains how 2017/2018 fiscal year taxpayer may waive the carryback period, reduce the carryback period (if it is longer than the standard two-year carryback), or revoke an election to waive a carryback period for a tax year that began before January 1, 2018, and ended after December 31, 2017.

Partnerships with NOLs
See the story "BBA Partnerships Can Amend Returns for CARES Benefits" on Rev. Proc. 2020-23, below.

The IRS is allowing taxpayers to file by fax Form 1139, Corporation Application for Tentative Refund, and Form 1045, Application for Tentative Refund, for certain coronavirus relief, a senior IRS official said on April 13. On the same day, the IRS unveiled related procedures for claiming quick refunds of the credit for prior year minimum tax liability of corporations and net operating loss (NOL) deductions ( https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/temporary-procedures-to-fax-certain-forms-1139-and-1045-due-to-covid-19).

The IRS is allowing taxpayers to file by fax Form 1139, Corporation Application for Tentative Refund, and Form 1045, Application for Tentative Refund, for certain coronavirus relief, a senior IRS official said on April 13. On the same day, the IRS unveiled related procedures for claiming quick refunds of the credit for prior year minimum tax liability of corporations and net operating loss (NOL) deductions ( https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/temporary-procedures-to-fax-certain-forms-1139-and-1045-due-to-covid-19).

Forms 1139, 1045
"Starting on April 17, 2020, and until further notice, the IRS will accept eligible refund claims Form 1139 submitted via fax to 844-249-6236 and eligible refund claims Form 1045 submitted via fax to 844-249-6237," the IRS noted in the Coronavirus Tax Relief FAQ posted on its website on April 13. "Before then, these fax numbers will not be operational. We encourage taxpayers to wait until this procedure is available rather than mail their Forms 1139 and 1045 since mail processing is being impacted by the emergency."

In a tailored effort to implement sections 2303 and 2305 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act ( P.L. 116-136), the IRS has opened digital transmission of Form 1139 and Form 1045 until further notice. Most notably, only refund claims made under the CARES Act sections 2303 and 2305 are eligible for the temporary procedures.

Generally, under the CARES Act:

• Section 2303 makes several modifications to NOLs, such as requiring a taxpayer with an NOL arising in a tax year beginning in 2018, 2019, or 2020 to carry that loss back to each of the five preceding years unless the taxpayer elects to waive or reduce the carryback; and providing a carryback for a two-year period of NOLs arising during a tax year that began in 2017 and ended during 2018.
• Section 2305 modifies the credit for prior-year minimum tax liability of corporations, including acceleration of the recovery of remaining minimum tax credits of a corporation for its 2019 tax year from its 2021 tax year, and permitting a corporation to elect instead to recover 100 percent of any of its remaining minimum tax credits in its 2018 tax year.

IRS Accepting Yet Not Processing Mail
Similarly, Sunita Lough, deputy commissioner for services and enforcement at the IRS urged taxpayers and practitioners during an April 13 Tax Policy Center (TPC) webinar not to submit Forms 1139 and 1045 related to the CARES Act by mail. Ordinarily, these forms may be filed only via hard copy delivered through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) or by a private delivery service.

However, the IRS is currently receiving so much mail that the USPS can no longer hold it, according to Lough, adding that the IRS is "literally holding [mail] in trailers until employees can get back to work." Thus, in an effort to "send a signal" that the IRS will implement the CARES Act without access to its mail, it is both allowing and encouraging the fax option, Lough said.

"Only fax Forms 1139 and 1045 specific to the CARES Act," Lough said, adding that any other forms submitted via fax, even Forms 1139 and 1045 unrelated to the CARES Act, will not be processed. Further, the IRS specifically states on its website that any Form 1120X, Amended U.S. Corporation Income Tax Return, that is faxed to the fax numbers noted above will not be accepted for processing.

Pro Tip
"If you are trying to decide between filing Form 1139 and 1120X, it is usually best to file Form 1139 to get a refund," Kirsten Wielobob, principal, Tax Policy and Controversy, Ernst & Young LLP, said on April 10. "It is colloquially referred to as a ‘quickie refund,’" Wielobob said. Generally, the Form 1139 is not subject to joint committee review as the Form 1120X is, which can be filed electronically but can add a layer of complexity. Additionally, Wielobob cautioned that the delays at the IRS could mean filing Form 1139 by paper through the mail is no longer the "quick" option, which appears in line with both the IRS’s cautioning against submitting the form by mail and its newly announced fax option.

The IRS has released guidance on making the following elections for the business interest deduction limitation:

The IRS has released guidance on making the following elections for the business interest deduction limitation:

• the election out of the 50 percent adjusted taxable income (ATI) limitation for tax years beginning in 2019 and 2020 under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act ( P.L. 116-136);
• the election to use the taxpayer’s ATI for the last tax year beginning in 2019 to calculate the Code Sec. 163(j) limit for the 2020 tax year under the CARES Act; and
  the election out of deducting 50 percent of excess business interest expense (EBIE) for the 2020 tax year without limitation under the CARES Act.

The guidance also provides transition relief to taxpayers making or revoking the election to be an electing real property trade or business or an electing farming trade or business under Code Sec. 163(j)(7).

Business Interest Limit
A taxpayer’s deduction of business interest expenses paid or incurred for any tax year is generally limited to the sum of business interest income, floor plan financing interest, and 30 percent of ATI. The Code Sec. 163(j) limitation is generally increased from 30 percent to 50 percent of a taxpayer’s ATI for any tax year beginning in 2019 and 2020 under the CARES Act.

A taxpayer may elect not to have the increased limitation apply in 2019 or 2020. In addition, a taxpayer may elect for any tax year beginning in 2020 to use its ATI from the 2019 tax year to calculate its Code Sec. 163(j) limitation. The 50 percent ATI limitation does not apply to partnerships for the 2019 tax year. Instead, a partner treats 50 percent of its allocable share of a partnership’s EBIE for 2019 as an interest deduction in the partner’s 2020 tax year without limitation. The remaining 50 percent of such EBIE remains subject to the Code Sec. 163(j) limit applicable to EBIE carried forward at the partner level. A partner may elect out of the 50 percent EBIE rule.

Election Out of 50 Percent ATI
There is no formal election or statement required to the make the election not to apply the 50 percent ATI limit for the 2019 or 2020 tax year. The election is made simply filing a federal income tax return (or Form 1065 in the case of a partnership for 2020) by the due date for the return, including extensions, using the 30 percent ATI limitation. The election may also be made on an amended return or administrative adjustment request (AAR).

The election must be made for each tax year. For a partnership, the election is made by the partnership and not the partners. It is also made by the agent for a consolidated group and for an applicable controlled foreign corporation (CFC) by each controlling domestic shareholder. The taxpayer is granted consent from the IRS to revoke the election by merely filing an amended return and using the 50 percent limit.

Election to Use 2019 ATI in 2020
There is also no formal election or statement required to the make the election to use 2019 ATI to use in the 2020 tax year. The election is made simply filing a federal income tax return (or Form 1065) by the due date for the return for the 2020 tax year, including extensions, using the taxpayer’s 2019 ATI. The 2019 ATI used for the calculation is pro rated if the taxpayer’s 2020 tax year is a short tax year. The election may also be made on an amended return or AAR.

For partnership, the election is made by the partnership and not the partners. It is also made by the agent for a consolidated group and for an applicable CFC by each controlling domestic shareholder. For a CFC group, the election is not effective for any group member unless made for every tax year of a CFC group member for which the election is available.

Election Out of 50 Percent EBIE Rule
There is also no formal election or statement required by a partner in a partnership to make the election out of the 50 percent EBIE rule. A partner makes the election by filing its federal income tax return (or Form 1065) by the due date for the return for the 2020 tax year, including extensions, by not applying the 50 percent EBIE rule in determining the Code Sec. 163(j) limitation. The election may also be made on an amended return or AAR. The partner is granted consent from the IRS to revoke the election by merely filing an amended return, Form 1065, or AAR applying the 50 percent EBIE rule.

Real Property and Farming
The Code Sec. 163(j) limit applies to all taxpayers with business interest except small businesses with meet an average annual gross receipts test. It also does not apply to certain excepted businesses including an electing real property business and an electing farming business.

Under proposed regulations, a taxpayer must make an election for a real property trade or business, or farming business, with respect to each eligible trade business. The election is made by attaching a statement to the taxpayer’s timely filed original tax return (including extensions). A real property trade or business or farming business that elects out of the business interest deduction limit must depreciate certain property using alternative depreciation system (ADS).

In light of the legislative changes, a taxpayer may make the election or revoke an election to be an electing real property trade or business or an electing farming trade or business for the 2018, 2019, or 2020 tax year by filing an amended federal income tax return, amended Form 1065, or amended AAR. The return must include an election statement or withdrawal statement, and any collateral adjustments to taxable income. This include its depreciation of property affected by making a late election or withdrawing the election. The amended federal income tax return, Form 1065, or AAR generally must be filed by October 15, 2021.

The IRS has set forth rules for BBA partnerships to file amended returns to immediately get benefits under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act ( P.L. 116-136). "BBA partnerships" are those subject to the centralized partnership audit regime established by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (BBA) ( P.L. 114-74). The procedure allows BBA partnerships the option to file an amended return instead of an Administrative Adjustment Request (AAR) under Code Sec. 6227.

The IRS has set forth rules for BBA partnerships to file amended returns to immediately get benefits under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act ( P.L. 116-136). "BBA partnerships" are those subject to the centralized partnership audit regime established by the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (BBA) ( P.L. 114-74). The procedure allows BBA partnerships the option to file an amended return instead of an Administrative Adjustment Request (AAR) under Code Sec. 6227.

Amendment Option
BBA partnerships that filed Form 1065, U.S. Return of Partnership Income, and gave all partners Schedules K-1, Partner’s Share of Income, Deductions, Credits, for the tax years beginning in 2018 or 2019 before the IRS issued Rev. Proc. 2020-23 can file amended returns and furnish amended K-1s before September 30, 2020. The amended returns can take into account tax changes brought about by the CARES Act as well as any other tax attributes to which the partnership is entitled by law.

Filing Requirements
To amend a return, a BBA partnership must file a Form 1065, checking the "Amended Return" box and furnish amended Schedules K-1 to partners. The BBA partnership must write "FILED PURSUANT TO REV PROC 2020-23" at the top of the amended return, and attach a statement with each Schedule K-1 sent to its partners with the same notation. The BBA partnership may file electronically or by mail.

There are additional rules for BBA partnerships that are currently under examination for a tax year beginning in 2018 or 2019, or that have previously filed an AAR.

GILTI Regulations
A partnership may continue to apply the rules of Proposed Reg. §1.951A-5 when filing an amended Form 1065 and furnishing amended Schedules K-1 consistent with those proposed regulations. The partnership must notify partners as required by Notice 2019-46, I.R.B. 2019-37, 695.

The IRS has announced that the employment tax credits for paid qualified sick leave and family leave wages required by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act ( P.L. 116-127) will apply to wages and compensation paid for periods beginning on April 1, 2020, and ending on December 31, 2020. Additionally, days beginning on April 1, 2020, and ending on December 31, 2020, will be taken into account for the credits for paid qualified sick leave and family leave equivalents for certain self-employed individuals as provided by the Act.

The IRS has announced that the employment tax credits for paid qualified sick leave and family leave wages required by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act ( P.L. 116-127) will apply to wages and compensation paid for periods beginning on April 1, 2020, and ending on December 31, 2020. Additionally, days beginning on April 1, 2020, and ending on December 31, 2020, will be taken into account for the credits for paid qualified sick leave and family leave equivalents for certain self-employed individuals as provided by the Act.

Expanded Leaves
The Act’s Division C (Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act) and Division E (Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act) requires employers with fewer than 500 employees to provide expanded paid family leave and paid sick leave to certain employees. These employees are unable to work or telework due to certain circumstances related to the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Tax Credits for Paid Leave
The Act’s Division G provides payroll tax credits to employers that make the required leave payments to their employees. The Act also provides comparable credits for self-employed individuals carrying on any trade or business under Code Sec. 1402, if the self-employed individual would be entitled to receive paid leave if he or she were an employee of an employer (other than himself or herself).

The refundable tax credits for most employers with fewer than 500 employees apply to qualified sick leave and family leave wages paid for the period from April 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020. Additionally, the self-employment tax credit will be determined based on days occurring during the period beginning on April 1, 2020, and ending on December 31, 2020.

The Treasury Secretary selected the April 1 date in coordination with the U.S. Department of Labor’s determination of the effective date for employers’ compliance with the Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act and Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act requirements.

The IRS has provided penalty relief for failure to deposit employment taxes under Code Sec. 6656 to employers entitled to the new refundable tax credits provided under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Families First Act) ( P.L. 116-127), and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act ( P.L. 116-136). The relief is provided the extent that the amounts not deposited are equal to or less than the amount of refundable tax credits to which the employer is entitled under the Families First Act and the CARES Act.

The IRS has provided penalty relief for failure to deposit employment taxes under Code Sec. 6656 to employers entitled to the new refundable tax credits provided under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Families First Act) ( P.L. 116-127), and the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act ( P.L. 116-136). The relief is provided the extent that the amounts not deposited are equal to or less than the amount of refundable tax credits to which the employer is entitled under the Families First Act and the CARES Act.

The relief applies to deposits of employment taxes reduced in anticipation of the credits for:

• qualified leave wages paid with respect to the period beginning April 1, 2020, and ending December 31, 2020; and
• qualified retention wages paid with respect to the period beginning on March 13, 2020, and ending December 31, 2020.

COVID-19 Refundable Credits
The Families First Act generally requires employers of fewer than 500 employees to provide paid sick leave and expanded family and medical leave, up to specified limits, to employees unable to work or telework due to certain circumstances related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Generally, the Families First Act provides a refundable tax credit against an employer’s share of the Social Security portion of Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax and an employer’s share of the Social Security and Medicare portions of the Railroad Retirement Tax Act (RRTA) tax ( "creditable employment taxes") for each calendar quarter. The credit is equal to 100 percent of qualified leave wages paid by the employer, plus qualified health plan expenses with respect to that calendar quarter.

The CARES Act allows certain employers experiencing a full or partial business suspension due to orders from a governmental authority, or a statutorily specified decline in business, due to COVID-19 to claim a refundable tax credit against an employer’s creditable employment taxes. The credit amount is up to 50 percent of the qualified wages (including allocable qualified health expenses), and is limited to $10,000 per employee over all calendar quarters combined.

Employers report these refundable credits on their returns for reporting their liability for FICA tax (or RRTA tax), which for most employers subject to FICA tax is the quarterly Form 941. An employer may claim an advance payment of the refundable tax credits by filing new Form 7200, Advance Payment of Employer Credits Due to COVID-19.

Penalty Relief for Qualified Leave Wages
An employer will not be subject to a penalty for failing to deposit employment taxes relating to qualified leave wages in a calendar quarter if:

• the employer paid qualified leave wages to its employees in the calendar quarter prior to the time of the required deposit;
• the amount of employment taxes that the employer does not timely deposit is less than or equal to the amount of the employer’s anticipated credits under the Families First Act for the calendar quarter as of the time of the required deposit; and
• the employer did not seek payment of an advance credit by filing Form 7200 for the anticipated credits it relied upon to reduce its deposits.

Thus, an employer may reduce, without penalty, the amount of a deposit of employment taxes by the amount of qualified leave wages and qualified health plan expenses paid by the employer in the calendar quarter prior to the required deposit, plus the amount of the employer’s share of Medicare tax on such qualified leave wages, as long as the employer does not also seek an advance credit for the same amount.

The total amount of any reduction in any required deposit may not exceed the total amount of qualified leave wages and qualified health plan expenses and the employer’s share of Medicare tax on the qualified leave wages in the calendar quarter, minus any amount of qualified leave wages, qualified health plan expenses, and employer’s share of Medicare tax that had been previously used (1) to reduce a prior required deposit in the calendar quarter and obtain this relief or (2) to seek payment of an advance credit.

Penalty Relief for Qualified Retention Wages
An eligible employer will not be subject to a penalty for failing to deposit employment taxes relating to qualified retention wages in a calendar quarter if:

• the employer paid qualified retention wages to its employees in the calendar quarter prior to the time of the required deposit;
• the amount of employment taxes that the employer does not timely deposit, reduced by the amount of employment taxes not deposited in anticipation of the credits claimed for qualified leave wages, qualified health plan expenses, and the employer’s share of Medicare tax on the qualified leave wages, is less than or equal to the amount of the employer’s anticipated credits under the CARES Act for the calendar quarter as of the time of the required deposit; and
• the employer did not seek payment of an advance credit by filing Form 7200 for the anticipated credits it relied upon to reduce its deposits.

Thus, after a reduction, if any, of a deposit of employment taxes by the amount of credits anticipated for qualified leave wages, an employer may further reduce, without a penalty, the amount of the deposit of employment taxes by the amount of qualified retention wages paid by the employer in the calendar quarter prior to the required deposit, as long as the employer does not also seek an advance credit for the same amount.

The total amount of any reduction in any required deposit may not exceed the total amount of qualified retention wages in the calendar quarter, minus any amount of qualified retention wages that had been previously used (1) to reduce a prior required deposit in the calendar quarter and obtain this relief or (2) to seek payment of an advance credit.

In 2013, a new and unique tax will take effect—a 3.8 percent "unearned income Medicare contribution" tax as part of the structure in place to pay for health care reform. The tax will be imposed on the "net investment income" (NII) of individuals, estates, and trusts that exceeds specified thresholds. The tax will generally fall on passive income, but will also apply generally to capital gains from the disposition of property.

In 2013, a new and unique tax will take effect—a 3.8 percent "unearned income Medicare contribution" tax as part of the structure in place to pay for health care reform. The tax will be imposed on the "net investment income" (NII) of individuals, estates, and trusts that exceeds specified thresholds. The tax will generally fall on passive income, but will also apply generally to capital gains from the disposition of property.

Specified thresholds

For an individual, the tax will apply to the lesser of the taxpayer's NII, or the amount of "modified" adjusted gross income (AGI with foreign income added back) above a specified threshold, which is:

• $250,000 for married taxpayers filing jointly and a surviving spouse;
• $125,000 for married taxpayers filing separately;
• $200,000 for single and head of household taxpayers.

Examples. A single taxpayer has modified AGI of $220,000, including NII of $30,000. The tax applies to the lesser of $30,000 or ($220,000 minus $200,000), the specified threshold for single taxpayers. Thus, the tax applies to $20,000.

A single taxpayer has modified AGI of $150,000, including $60,000 of NII. Because the taxpayer's income is below the $200,000 threshold, the taxpayer does not owe the tax, despite having substantial NII.

For an estate or trust, the tax applies to the lesser of undistributed net income, or the excess of AGI over the dollar amount for the highest tax rate bracket for estates and trusts ($11,950 for 2013). Thus, the tax applies to a much lower amount for trusts and estates.

Application of tax

The tax applies to interest, dividends, annuities, royalties, and rents, and capital gains, unless derived from a trade or business. The tax also applies to income and gains from a passive trade or business.

Other items are excluded from NII and from the tax:  distributions from IRAs, pensions, 401(k) plans, tax-sheltered annuities, and eligible 457 plans, for example. Items that are totally excluded from gross income, such as  distributions from a Roth IRA and interest on tax-exempt bonds, are excluded both from NII and from modified AGI.

The tax does not apply to nonresident aliens, charitable trusts, or corporations.

Tax planning techniques

Taxpayers are concerned about having to pay the tax. One technique for avoiding the tax is to sell off capital gain property in 2012, before the tax applies. This can be particularly useful if the taxpayer is facing a large capital gain from the sale of a principal residence (after taking the $250,000/$500,000 exclusion from income). Older taxpayers who do not want to sell their property may want to consider holding on to appreciated property until death, when the property gets a fair market value basis without being subject to income tax.

The technique of "gain harvesting" may be even more attractive if tax rates increase on dividends, capital gains, and AGI in 2013, with the potential expiration of the Bush-era tax cuts. However, the status of these tax rates will not be determined until after the election, potentially in a lame-duck Congressional session. It is also possible that Congress will simply extend existing tax rates for another year and "punt" the decision until 2013, as tax reform discussions heat up.

Taxpayers may also want to change the source of their income. Investing in tax-exempt bonds will be more attractive, since the interest income does not enter into AGI or NII. Converting a 401(k) account or traditional IRA to a Roth IRA will accomplish the same purpose. Income from a Roth conversion is not net investment income, although the income will increase modified AGI, which may put other income in danger of being subject to the 3.8 percent tax. Increasing deductible or pre-tax contributions to existing retirement plans can also lower income and help the taxpayer stay below the applicable threshold.

Trusts and estates should make a point of distributing their income to their beneficiaries. A trust's NII will be taxed at a low threshold (less than $12,000), while the income received by a beneficiary is taxed only if the much higher $200,000/$250,000 thresholds are exceeded.

Uncertainty

There was some uncertainty about the tax taking effect because of litigation challenging the health care law providing the tax, but a June 2012 Supreme Court decision upheld the law. The application of the tax is also uncertain because the Republican leadership has vowed to pursue repeal of the health care law if the Republicans win the presidency and take control of both houses of Congress in the November 2012 elections. But this is speculative. In the meantime, the Supreme Court decision guarantees that the tax will take effect on January 1, 2013.

These can be difficult decisions. While economic considerations for managing assets and income are important, it also makes sense for a taxpayer to look at the tax impact if the certain asset sales or shifts in investment portfolios are otherwise being considered.

The Tax Code provides that the IRS generally may not select an individual, partnership, or corporate tax return for audit after a period of three years has expired, dating from the tax return's filing date or due date, whichever is later. For example, if a taxpayer filed his 2011 Form 1040 on February 10, 2012, and the due date for the filing of returns that year was April 17, 2012, then the statute of limitations period ends on April 17, 2015, and not February 10, 2015. On the other hand, if the taxpayer filed his tax return late, on November 10, 2012, and had not obtained an extension of time to file, the statute of limitations period would run from November 10, 2012.

The Tax Code provides that the IRS generally may not select an individual, partnership, or corporate tax return for audit after a period of three years has expired, dating from the tax return's filing date or due date, whichever is later. For example, if a taxpayer filed his 2011 Form 1040 on February 10, 2012, and the due date for the filing of returns that year was April 17, 2012, then the statute of limitations period ends on April 17, 2015, and not February 10, 2015. On the other hand, if the taxpayer filed his tax return late, on November 10, 2012, and had not obtained an extension of time to file, the statute of limitations period would run from November 10, 2012.

If a taxpayer receives an extension of time to file the return (for example, an automatic six-month extension until October 15), however, the return is considered filed on the actual date of filing rather than the extension date.  On the other hand, filing an amended tax return, such as a Form 1040X, however, would generally have no effect on the three-year period if it does not increase tax liability. For example, if the taxpayer filed his tax return on April 17, 2012, subsequently discovered a missing item of deduction, and filed an amended return on May 15, 2012 that did not increase his tax liability, the three-year state of limitations period will still run from April 17, 2012 to April 17, 2015.

For more information on the statute of limitations on tax assessments and any exceptions, please contact our office.

A remainder interest is the interest you receive in property when a grantor transfers property to a third person for a specified length of time with the provision that you receive full possessory rights at the end of that period. The remainder is "vested" if there are no other requirements you must satisfy in order to receive possession at the end of that period, such as surviving to the end of the term. This intervening period may be for a given number of years, or it may be for the life of the third person. Most often, this situation arises with real estate, although other types of property may be transferred in this fashion as well, such as income-producing property held in trust. The holder of a remainder interest may wish to sell that interest at some point, whether before or after the right to possession has inured.

To determine the amount of gain or loss on the sale of an interest in property, you must first need to know the basis in that property. Generally, the basis of property is either the transferor's basis, if the transferor made a gift of the property while still living, or the fair market value at the time of the transfer if it was a testamentary gift. However, the value of a remainder interest is not the full value of the property, because someone else has an intervening right to its use.

The value of the remainder interest is equal to the undivided value of the property minus the value of the intervening interest. The value of this interest depends on applicable interest rates and the duration of the interest. In the case of a life estate, the duration depends on the age of the recipient and is determined with reference to mortality tables published in the Treasury regulations. The applicable interest rate is specified in Code Sec. 7520 as being 120 percent of the applicable federal rate (AFR) for that month, rounded to the nearest 0.2 percent. You may find these tables at the IRS web site.

IRS Pub. 1457 is known as Actuarial Values Book Aleph and contains tables that express the values of life estates, term interests and remainders. In this publication, you will need to select the appropriate section based on whether the interest is a term for years or a life estate. In each section is a series of tables based on interest rates ranging from 2.2 to 22.2 percent. Find the age of the life estate holder or duration of the term in the first column of the table. Next to it, under the column for remainder interests, is a decimal representation of the fractional interest represented by the remainder. Multiply this decimal by the basis of the property and you have the basis of the remainder interest.

Examples: Bob's grandfather died in March of 2009 and left a house valued at $100,000 to his mother for life, with the remainder interest to Bob. Bob's mother is 65 years old. The Sec. 7520 rate for that month is 2.4 percent, and the fractional value of the remainder is .67881. The value of Bob's interest in the house is $67,881.

This is a simple question, but the question does not have a simple answer. Generally speaking the answer is no, closing costs are not deductible when refinancing. However, the answer depends on what you mean by "closing costs" and what is done with the money obtained in the refinancing.

Costs added to basis. Certain expenses paid in connection with the purchase or refinancing of a home, regardless of when paid, are capital expenses that must be added to the basis of the residence. These include attorney's fees, abstract fees, surveys, title insurance and recording or mortgage fees. Adding these costs to basis will lower any capital gain tax that you pay when you eventually sell your home. If your gain is sheltered anyway by the home sale exclusion of $250,000 ($500,000 for couples filing jointly) on the eventual sale of a principal residence, any previous addition to basis, while doing no harm, will also do no good.

Costs neither deductible nor added to basis. Other costs are neither deductible nor added to basis. These costs include fire insurance premiums, FHA mortgage insurance premiums and VA funding fees, settlement fees and closing costs.

Interest expense. Taxpayers may deduct qualified residence interest, however. "Qualified residence interest" is interest that is paid or accrued during the tax year on acquisition or home equity indebtedness with respect to a qualifying residence.

Points. Points are charges paid by a borrower to obtain a home mortgage. Other names used for deductible points are loan origination fees, loan discounts, discount points and maximum loan charges. While a fairly broad rule permits the deduction of home mortgage interest, the rule governing the deduction of points is narrower and has a number of restrictions. Points paid to refinance a mortgage on a principal residence, like other pre-paid interest that represents a charge for the use of money, are generally not deductible in the year paid and must be amortized over the life of the mortgage. However, if the borrower uses part of the refinanced mortgage proceeds to improve his or her principal residence, the points attributable to the improvement are deductible in the year paid.

Prepayment penalties. In cases where a creditor accepts prepayment of a secured debt, such as a mortgage debt on a home, but imposes a prepayment penalty, the prepayment penalty is deductible as interest.